Monday, March 8, 2010

Is Chocolate Really Bad For Dogs?

Don't be tempted to share your chocolate Easter eggs with Fido. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate is especially harmful to your four legged friend because of higher theobromine level (130 mg/oz compared to 58 mg/oz in milk chocolate).

It takes only a small dose to cause problems - less than one ounce of chocolate could be lethal.

Theoboromine is toxic to dogs because it contains caffine. And dogs metabolize theobrobine slower then humans do.The heart which is the the central nervous system, and kidneys are affected.Early signs of theobromine in dogs include nausea and vomiting, restlessness,diarrhea,muscle treamors,and increased urination.Cardiac arrhythmias and seizures are symtoms of more advanced poisoning. To get more information visit http://chemistry.about.com/od/factsstructures/a/theobromine-chemistry.htm